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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Conjunctivitis: noun, inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, a transparent membrane in the eye; also known as pink eye.

I found myself researching this condition this week as my eye was hurting and a little bloodshot. I am now reassured that I am not suffering from pink eye. I believe my symptoms were due to eye strain.

It all began while playing a video game with my hubby. The strain of looking for both danger and treasure started to tire my eyes. My right eye, especially, started watering and I couldn't keep it open. By Sunday evening my eye was killing me, and I was a little worried. I have good vision and I care deeply about my eyes. I use them daily for reading, knitting, crocheting, beading... The list goes on and on. I dread the day when I may have to wear reading glasses in order to do the things I love to do.

On Monday, I started limiting my screen time in an effort to help my eyes. I only read in the morning before leaving for work, instead of my usual 3 or 4 times a day. I avoided the computer and my tablet at work as much as possible. When I got home, I stayed away from the video game and left the TV turned off. My eye felt a lot better by Tuesday.

I am beginning to wonder if the increase in screen time in my life is affecting my eyes. Could the use of my Kindle for reading be straining my eyes more than a paper book? I have turned the brightness down significantly on my Kindle, and that seems to help.

Do you use an e-reader or tablet? Have you noticed any extra strain on your eyes?

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

I recently read a great book by Jeff Goins, You Are a Writer. The book is very encouraging and gives some great advice for beginning writers. Basically it's like a pep talk.

Probably the best advice the book shares is the need to proclaim your writer com. The author writes that it is important to admit out loud that you are a writer. So here goes.....

I am a writer. Even though I did not win NaNoWriMo.....again......for the fourth year.

I am a writer. Even though I fear that I will never finish a manuscript.

I am choosing to focus on the positive. This November, I wrote the most words I have ever written during a NaNo. I believe I can complete my current novel by the end of winter break. I love writing and have a lot of new ideas to share with the world.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Sisyphean: adjective, used to describe something that cannot be completed.

I love when my obsession with reading blogs teaches me new vocabulary. The other day, while reading a knitter's blog post about the many projects she wants to complete before Christmas, I encountered the word 'Sisyphean.'

The origin of this word is in Greek mythology, where Sisyphus was a trickster king whose eternal punishment was to roll a boulder up a hill in the underworld. Each time he did, the boulder rolled back down and Sisyphus had to start again. The impossible task.

Completing a novel can sometimes feel like a Sisyphean task. Do you have any Sisyphean tasks in your life right now?